East Stroudsburg street dancer gets a shot on stage

You may not know who DeQuan Waters-Smith is, but you've probably seen him.

ANDREW SCOTT

You may not know who DeQuan Waters-Smith is, but you've probably seen him.

He's the young guy who sometimes dances on the sidewalk on Brown Street by Pocono Plaza in East Stroudsburg, or dances in a Cluck U Chicken mascot uniform on Route 611 in Bartonsville.

The shy 23-year-old East Stroudsburg resident said dancing in public is a way to meet people and work on his social skills.

"I'm also hoping people in the entertainment industry notice me, because I've always wanted to be in entertainment," said Waters-Smith, whose highly energetic nature is visible just in the way he walks down the street.

Waters-Smith was born in New York City and raised in the Poconos. After briefly attending college, the Pocono Mountain West High School graduate worked at various jobs, most recently as a factory employee at Johnson & Johnson in Mount Pocono.

His wish to be noticed first came true late last year, when he was offered a chance to be part of a January art show presented by photographic artist Shane Izykowski at the Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg.

"Shane saw me dancing in the street one day," Waters-Smith said. "He approached and asked me if I wanted to be in this show he was putting together. I said 'sure.' "

The same thing happened later, when producer Michael Moate of Bartonsville was putting together a May comedy show at the Sherman.

"I've known DeQuan and his family for a long time," Moate said. "Everybody loves to see him dance. I saw him one day and asked him to be in my show, and he said 'yes.' "

Now, Waters-Smith is one of three Michael Jackson impersonators performing in Saturday's tribute to the legendary entertainer at the Sherman.

Waters-Smith will be appearing with fellow impersonators Lane Lassiter of Las Vegas, and Jibreel Mawry, who co-starred in Broadway's "Motown The Musical" and portrays Jackson during his early years with the Jackson Five.

"This is the second year we're doing the Michael Jackson tribute at the Sherman," said promoter Colette Logan of Bushkill, founder of C-Lo Entertainment, noting the Saturday show is four days after the June 25 anniversary of Jackson's 2009 death.

"I've known Lane Lassiter for 30 years and reconnected with him on Facebook. I contacted him last year and told him I wanted to do a Michael Jackson tribute for my grandson. He agreed, and the show was such a success we decided to do it again this year."

But with some additional talent. Logan had seen Waters-Smith dancing at the Wal-Mart in East Stroudsburg and in other areas.

"I was driving one day when I passed him out dancing," she said. "I turned around, drove back to where he was and talked to him about being in this year's show."